Fluid control for fluid operated presses



Jan; 1l, 1938;,

` FLUID CONTROL Foa FLUlD OPERATED PRESSES Y 'Filed Jah. `21, 1935 r 2 Sl'leelts--SheeI 1 l iNvENTKoR l y CLIFTON S. MALOTT JR. BY

ATTORNEYS.

c. s MALoT'l-JR f 2,105,253

` Jan. 11, 1938. y

Y c. s( MALoTr. JR

Filed Jan. 21. 1935 2 sheets-sheet 2 cuFToNs MALOTT JR.

Patented Jan. 1l, 1938 ruim coN'rnor. ron'r'mm oPEaaTED ranssns Clifton S. Malott, Jr.,4 Norwood, Ohio, assignor to The American Lann dry Machinery Company,

l Norwood,v Ohio, a corporatiomofohioA Application January 2l, 1935, Serial No. 2.693 l8 Clalms. (Cl. 121-38) 'This invention -relates to improved control mechanism for a power'operatedpressing machine of the type generally used in laundry and garment work.

. An object of the invention is to provide a fluid motor for closing a pressing machine, control valves therefor normally in`press open position, iluid power means for moving these' valves to press closed position 'and for holding them there, and two fluid supply circuits for this. power means, one operator operatedwhich actuates the power means to move lthe valves to press closed position and if maintained al suiiicient length of time establishes the second circuit for the power means which is self-maintaining, thus permitting the release of the operating manuals. Y

My inventionx also contemplates the provision of a unitary structure including the duid motor, valves, `power means and time delay mechanism above described in a unit suitable to be installed upon a foot power press and requiring the pro- "vision only of suitable manuals for its applical tion toa pressing machine to convert it to a full' power operated machine.

My invention also contemplates certain novel structure for carrying out the above objects and provisions as will more clearly appear in the i accompanying drawings and specication and the essential features will be summarized in the I In; the drawings, Fig. 1 is an end elevation 'partly in section showing a pressing machine embodying my invention; Fig. 2 isv a diagrammatic layout of the control circuits for the machine of Fig. 1; while Fig. 3 is aV view similar to Fig. 2 showing the parts in an actuated position.

The pressing machine illustrated comprises a frame I supporting a pressing bed On a portion of the frame is pivotally mounted a headl lever I2 which carries a pressing head or chest 13./

which 'is adapted to coast with the bed 1|. my moving the head, I have provided toggles I4 con-' nected between thel rear end of the head lever and the frame, a springV I5 normally biases these -toggles to broken position. For closing the press I have provided a motor I6 suitably mounted on the frame having its piston rod connected to the ltoggle knuckles at I1 so that a power stroke of motor `I6 closes the press. i .f

50 My novel control mechanism is shown in Fig` 2 in which the motor I6 is shown as having a` cylinder I3 equipped with a piston yI9 whose .piston rod is connected to the toggles I4 as previously described. A valve casing 2| houses 55 the control /valves for motor I6 `which,\in the present instance, Vcomprise a normally closed inlet valve 2Ia and a normally open outlet valve 2lb which are mounted on acommon sleeve 2|cv which is carried` by a stem 2Id connected to power means for actuating the valves. The 5 sleeve -2 Ic is held between a shoulder 21e on the stem 2id and a spring 22 which is held between .the sleeve 2Ic and a collar 23 which is rigid'wth l the stem. This forms a yieldable connection which permits movement of stem 2idA after valve 10 2lb has been closed and valve 2|a has been opened. Valve casing 2| communicates by a suitable ow and exhaust passageway 24 with cylinder land the casing is provided with a port 25 for communication with a supply of motive fluid and another-port 26 for exhaust of motive fluid .to theatmosphere. 'I'he motorl control valves are biased in press closed position by ra spring 2'1 which is compressed between casing 2| and a collar 28 which is rigid with stem 2id. 20 l vI providefluid power means for actuating the motor control valves and in the form illustrated this comprises a pair of aligned cylinders 29 and y 30 which are provided with pistons 29a and 30a 3 I is controlled by two spaced safety manuals controlling inlet and outlet valves which are housed in casings 32 vand 33. Each casing houses a normally closed inlet valve 32a, 33a and a nor- 35 mally open outlet valve 32h, 33h which are mounted on a common stem 32e, 33e for actuaw tion by a manual. 32d, 33d. These valve casings /are connected in seriesiby` a conduit 34 and valve casing 32' communicates by a conduit 35 with a source of motive :Iluid 36. The stroke ofpiston 29a when so supplied with power moves valves 2Ia and 2Ib to their operated position with the inlet valve Aopen and the outlet valve closed. Power is then supplied to motor I6 through conduit 36, port 25, valve 2|a and passageway 2l.

Means is provided for delaying the establish- .ment of a maintaining circuit for holding valves 2Ia and 2Ib in their operated position until the pressing members havehad time .to reach safely closed position. 'I'his is for the purpose of compelling the" operator to maintain bothhands in a safe position, thatis with one on each of the manuals 32d and 33d, until thepr'ess `is safely closed. This means comprises'mechanism for 55 establishing the maintaining circuit for cylinder and piston 30, 30a which is actuated upon movement of the yieldable connection between collar 23 and sleeve 2|c and this movement is delayed by a. timing device. The maintaining circuit for motor 30, 30a comprises a ilow and exhaust conduit 31 which communicates with cylinder 30 and the lower faceof piston 30a. This conduit leads to a valve casing 38 which houses a normally open inlet valve 38a and a normally closed outlet' valve 38h which are mounted on a common stem 38e for actuation by amanual 38d. Leading from casing 38 and communicating with conduit 31 through normally open inlet valve 38a is a conduit, 39

which communicates with a valve casing 40 inl which are mounted a normally closedinlet valve 40a and a normally open outlet valve 40h .which are mounted on a common stem 40e. The inlet valve end of casing 40 communicates with the fluid pressure source 36'. Actuation of stem 40e is by means of an arm 4l which is rigidly mounted on stem 2id. Contact between arm 4i and valve stem 40e is controlled by a timing device 42` which delays the taking up of the previously described yieldable connection upon movement of stem 2 Id. This timing device is shown as comprising a dash Apot which, if desired, may be carried by a bracket 43a which is rigidly connected with the motor I6 and its associated valve structure. The dash pot may be provided with a piston 43 rigid on the lower end ofstem 2id. 'I'his piston. has a port 44 extending therethrough which is closed by a ilapper valve 45 on the up stroke of the piston but which permits free ow through the port 44 on the down stroke of the piston. The upper and lowerV ends ofthe dash pot communicate through a bypass 46 in which the flow is restricted by an adjustable needle valve 41. It is thus possible to nicely time the action of the dash pot.

With the parts in the position of Fig. 1, the operation of the device is as follows:

The operator arranges the lay of the work on bed Il and actuates manuals 32d and 33d. Fluid then ilows through the press closing circuit 36, 35,3211, 34, 33a, 3| to. the lower face of piston 29a. This piston moves upwardly, opening valve 21a and closing valve 2 Ib. This establishes the power circuit for motor I6 through 36, 25, 21a and 24.

If manuals 32d and 33d are maintained a suiiicient length of time, piston 29a will continue to travel upwardly until the yieldable connection is taken up in stem 2 Id which will be delayed by the action of dash pot 42. Upon suiiicient movement of this connection arm 4| contacts stem 40o which closes valve 40h and opens valve 40a. This establishes the following maintaining circuit: V36', 40a, 39, 38a, 31 to the lower face of piston 30a.` The pistons 30a and 29a are thus maintained in their uppermost position and the press remains closed. The operator may then release manuals 32d and 33d which will evacuate cylinder 29. To open the press, manual 38d is actuated which closes valve 38a and opens valve 386 which will evacuate cylinder30. Spring 21 then returns stein 2id and all of its associated parts to the position of Fig. 2 which releases stem'40c permittingv the spring in casing 40 to return those valves to the position of Fig. 2. Pressure in motor i6 is thus exhausted and spring I5 opens the press. l

While Athe parts of my control mechanism need not be arranged as shownin Fig, 2, there is an advantage is so arranging the parts in a unitary structure. It will be noted that the motor I6 and its actuating valves and the power means for Oactuating' those valvesand the valves i'n casing 40 for providing a maintaining circuit for motor i6 and the dash pot 42 for delaying the establishment of the maintaining circuit are all rigidly connected together, and. this makes it possible to mountl such a unitary assembly on a foot power press which then requires only the connecting up of the fluid lines and the placing of suitable manuals on the pressing machine table to convert a foot power press to a completely power operated pressing machine with two-hand control.

What I claim is:

1. In a pressing machine, a pair of coacting relatively movable pressing members, operating means therefor including a uid actuated motor and mechanism operated thereby for relatively moving said members for causing an ironing operation therebetween, conduit means for the supply and exhaust of motive iluid to and from said motor and including a normally closed inlet valve and a normally open outlet valve, an actuator movable to press-closing position to open said inlet valve and to close said outlet valve, said actuator having a connection permitting additional movement beyond said vpress-closing position, fluid actuated power means, for moving said actuator', a timing device controlling said additional movement of said actuator, two fluid supply circuits fo'r said power means, one oi' said circuits including an operator-operated control member, the other of said circuits including a valve normally preventing the effective ilow of motive uid therein, and an operative connection between said actuator and said last-named valve and eilective to move the latter to flow establishing position upon completionof the action controlled by said timing device.

2.- In a pressing machine, a pair of coacting relatively movable pressing members, operating means .therefor including a uid actuated motor and mechanism operated thereby for relatively moving said members for causing an ironing operation therebetween, conduit means for the supply and exhaust of motive fluid to and from said motor and including a normally closed inlet valve and a normally open outlet valve, an actuator movable to press-closing position to open said inlet valve andA to close said outlet valve, said actuator having a connection permitting additional movement beyond said press-closing position, fluid actuated power means for moving said actuator, a dash-pot operatively connected with said actuator for delaying said additional movement thereof two fluid supply circuits for said power means, one oi' said circuits including an operator-operated control member, the other of said circuits including a valve normally preventing the eii'ectiveilow of motive iiuid therein, and an operative connection between said actuator and said last-named valve eective upon completion of said additional movement of said actuator for moving said last-named valve to ilow establishing position.

3. In a. pressing machine, a pair of coacting relatively movable pressing members, operating means therefor including a uid actuated motor and mechanism operated thereby for relatively moving said members for'causing an ironing op'- eration therebetween, conduit means for the sup'- ply and-exhaust of motive uid to and 4from said motor and including a normally closedinlet valve and a normally open outlet valve, auv actuator movable to press-closing position to open said inlet valve and to close said outlet valve. said actuator having a connection permitting additional movement beyond said preis-closing posi- 15 alos-,asa

tion, duid `actuated power means for moving said actuator to press-closing position and therebeyond, a duid supply circuit i'or said power means including operator-operated control means, a timing -device operatively connectedl with said actuator for controlling the saidadditional movement thereof, iluid actuated holding means for maintaining said valves in press-closing position. a iiuid supply circuit for said holding` means, and means actuated by said actuator upon completion of its additional movement for establishing said last-named supply circuit.

4. The combination of claim 3, in which said operator-operated control means insaid uid supply circuit i'or said power means comprises spaced valves arranged to be operated simultaneously toprovide an effective flow of motive yiiuid in said circuit.

5. 'I'he combination of claim 3, in which said fluid supply circuit for said holding means includes a valve casing, a normally open inlet valve andv a normally closed outlet valve in said casing, said outlet valve communicating with the atmosphere, and a manual for operating said valves to close the inlet vand toopenthe outlet, whereby I said holding means may be released.

6. In a pressing machine, a pair of coacting relatively movable pressing members, operating means therefor including a fluid actuated motor and mechanism operated thereby for relatively moving said members for causingran ironing op-f eration therebetween, conduit means for the supply and exhaust of motive uid to and from said motor and including a normally closed inletvaive and a normally open outlet valve, fluid actuated power means movable to press-closing positionfor opening said inlet valve and closingsaid outlet valve, means for timing the movement of said power means, two iluid supply circuits for 4Q said power means, one of said circuits including an operator-operated control member, the other of said circuits including a valve normally pre-- venting the effective flow of motive fluid therein. and said power means having an operative connection with said last-named valve arranged to move the said valve to flow-establishing position upon completion of the movement of said powe means controlled by said timing means.

'77.` Power means adapted to be mounted upon a foot-operated pressing machine comprising, as a vunitary assembly, a cylinder and piston motor for connection to press operating mechanism, inlet and outlet valves for the supply and exhaust of motive uid to and from said cylinder, a passageway communicating with said cylinder and valves, passageways for connecting said inlet valve with a uid supply 'and said outlet valve with the atmosphere, an actuator for moving said valvesl Vsaid valves, iiuid power means for moving said actuator, a timing device for delaying the movement of said fluid power means, a valve adapted for connection in amaintaining circuit for said fluid power means, and an operative connection between said fluid power means and said last named-valve effective for valve operation upon completion of the delayed movement of Said fluid power means.

CLLEI'ON S. MALOTI, JR. 

